It’s been a long and hard minute folks but here it is – your October dining hit list – where to drink and eat in Doha this month. From a luxe afternoon tea to fish and chips and also to a place where you can devour dumplings for breakfast – it’s all here!
If you are looking for a happy hour to take the edge off the New Normal, check my list of top Doha happy hours here.
1. Afternoon tea at IDAM
With arguably one of the most glorious locations for any restaurants in Qatar, IDAM’s afternoon tea is equally a thing of beauty. they have added savory items to the menu including tartlets encased in gossamer thin pastry and a croque monsieur. Sweets, always their strength, include date scones and a full size dessert for each diner. At QR120 per person – including sweet, savory, a dessert, hot drink and cold drinks plus water, this is a lovely treat as well as a way to sample the white gloved decadence of this restaurant.
Must order: The honey accented mille feuille.
2. Taco Tuesday at Maya
There’s so much to like about this restaurant including a great vibe, authentic Mexican food. Their Taco Tuesday is so good it lured me out of hibernation mid-week – several times. You can choose from a menu of eight soft shell tacos for QR15 each. Tacos range from prawns with tamarind to a veggie version with avocado and crunchy quinoa. Team with a happy hour for a mid-week treat.
Must order: you don’t have to choose when you order the Taquiza for QR110 – a platter with one of each taco.
3. Fish and Chips at Marriott Marquis
Fish and chips is a hot conversation amongst certain foodies in this city. The batter must be right. The chips must be just so. Crossroads at the Marriott Marquis has pushed the boat out and is offering fish and chips every day from 2pm to 6pm. What makes it different? the fish is cooked in beef dripping. This gives it a unique and slightly meaty/heavy flavor. the fish is Nile Perch which is sustainable and meaty yet flakey enough to be fit for purpose. For QR65 you get mushy peas, tartare and curry sauces and of course the fish and chips. Chip in another QR35 during their happy hour for a beer.
Must order: The fish and chips obviously but they also have malt vinegar.
4.Breakfast at the Mandarin Lounge
I came here for the avocado toast but soon discovered there is more to the menu at the Mandarin Oriental’s light filled lounge than meets the eye. As several of he hotel’s venue are still closed, they have amped up the menu in this venue to include a full breakfast, light lunches and more. Their breakfast menu includes their signature dumplings, which I couldn’t resist on my recent visit, but their other items including their craveable pastries are also worth a look. Get a table facing the courtyard. Prices are hotel standard and bookings are essential.
Must order: the basket of dumplings and the halloumi avo toast.
5. Caballeros Night at Toro Toro
I am an unashamed fan of Toro Toro. They have improved so much since first opening five years ago and are now one of the most consistently good restaurants in Doha. Their Wednesday night steak night can seem a little expensive at QR750 for two. But this includes four full sized starters (two hot and two cold), unlimited picanha steak, dessert and a bottle of wine. Starters are like a tour of their regular menu – highlights include their crispy prawn maki roll, a sweet/spicy prawn dish, their signature cheese filled corn pancakes and of course smokey guacamole. Be conscious to save room for the steak, which comes on a platter with sides. This is cooked to your liking and yes, is unlimited. Not everyone is a drinker and they can tailor that aspect of the menu to cater to you.
Must order: Cachapas aka cheese and con pancakes, the sweet and salty dish you have been missing all your life. Save room for the meat sweats.
6. Anis at Park Hyatt Doha
It’s hard to believe this is a hotel cafe. The understated, funky interiors belie its five star heritage at the Park Hyatt Doha but the reasonable prices do not. In a city where a coffee can cost QR40 alone, the prices at Anis are refreshingly…decent. I mean QR40 for a coffee and a cake. Desserts and cakes are its specialty but it also has a small menu of healthy plates and smoothie bowls. Staff are engaged and friendly, offering wifi passwords and other assistance. There is a small outdoor area which when it cools down will be a Msheireb hotspot.
Must order: The honey cake made from local honey and the strong coffee.
